Vehicle Description
1957 Chevrolet Bel Air 2 Door Hardtop
Imagine a car so popular that a new term came to be based on that
design. That name is Tri-Five, which refers to 1955, 1956, and 1957
Chevrolet automobiles, in particular the Bel Air, 150, 210, and the
Nomad. With beautiful proportions and new skins each of those
successive years, and a thorough peppering of chrome, these cars
produced in this time became iconic. From all original to highly
modified versions, many Tri-Five clubs have sprung up to showcase
individuality, originality, and the beloved Chevrolet concepts of
Harley Earl and his team.
Gracing our numerous showrooms here at Classic Auto Mall are many
examples from the Tri-Five's most glorious year, 1957. This one
stands out amongst the others with its clean red paint, near
flawless interior, oh and did I mention, it's the top of the line
model in the Bel Air. This baby is dressed in Matador Red and has a
gorgeous black textured flagstone patio pattern broadcloth with red
vinyl interior. Restored in the 1970's and treated to a repaint in
2008, this Bel Air is still looking great today. Timeless lines,
gobs of chrome, and fins baby...it doesn't get any better than
this!
Exterior
Straight rust-free steel panels draped in Matador Red cover the
exterior of this car. A white ribbed fin panel is inserted on the
rear quarters and has gold Bel Air badging in your grandmother's
handwriting along with a cloisonne bowtie badge. Upfront two jet
age hood inserts fly forward leaving a jet trail in the form of a
small bump that dies at the windshield. The smiling front grille is
all very nicely chromed and has a large lower bumper complete with
two small Dagmars with rubber tips. The correct for Bel Air trim
gold egg crate is buried within the smile. A swoop trim spear runs
from the headlights to the rear quarter where it divides and allows
for the ribbed insert. More Matador Red paint for the roof, and
more chrome trim around the windows. The rear of the car now goes
full bore with the vertical fins all trimmed in chrome with the
crescent moon tail lights and backup lights melting into a clean
and mirror-like chrome bumper. A note to this car's exterior paint,
it is nearly faultless with only some minor inclusions and orange
peel. 14-inch wheels with Chevrolet cloisonne badged faux "spinner"
wheel covers and wide whites are on all 4 corners with the rears
being partially obscured by the very 50's fender skirts.
Interior
Dripping in 50's styling there is abundant use of the nifty
broadcloth that has a fine red bordered flagstone pattern stitched
into a black background. This greets red vinyl and is used this way
on the door panels, and the seats. Also add in twin silver chromed
buttons in the mid section of each back for these classic chairs. A
nice red dash is upfront and has the upwardly mobile curved cove
for the instrument cluster and turn signal lights. Cutting through
the middle of the dash is a chromed mesh horizontal trim that
houses the radio, updated Air Tech aftermarket heat & AC slides and
various control knobs. Beautiful black carpet floods the floors,
and a tight pristine red headliner is floating above all this 50's
design.
Drivetrain
A flip of the hood and we are met with the beautifully restored
1957 version of the V8 engine bay. It is truly an engineering
wonder holding within a 283ci V8. This engine sports an Edelbrock
intake and Edelbrock 600cfm 4-barrel carburetor. A 2-speed
Powerglide automatic transmission is on back and throws power
rearward to a 3.36 rear axle. Showroom tidy and clean here with
tons of chrome dress up, supple hoses and cleanly run wiring.
Undercarriage
Following the cues up top, the underneath is totally rust free with
lightly patinaed black for the flooring frame and rockers.It is
just near perfect with a light sprinkling of surface rust and some
lightly rusted dual exhaust with Cherrybomb mufflers. Independent
coil springs are the front suspension, and leaf springs bring up
the rear. An upgrade on the brakes was performed and now we have
front power discs and rear power drums providing the whoah
factor.
Drive-Ability
She fired right up, and idled smoothly, shifted effortlessly, and
the 283ci V8 propelled us forward in a serious manner. All
functions were working, save for the AC blowing cool but not cold
and the engine stumbling a little under full throttle
conditions.
A very nicely preserved Bel Air, awesome exterior paint and
trimmings, stunningly retro interior, updated brakes and a blinged
out engine, which is marvelous to look at and ponder, and a clean
and rust free undercarriage. An older restoration still looking
showroom fresh and holding its own in our South mallway.
Money...burns a hole in my pocket...
VC57S170127
V-V8
C-2400 Series
57-1957
S-St. Louis, MO Assy Plant
170127-Sequential Unit Number
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 850 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display. This vehicle is located in our
showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just
1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The
website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888)
227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come
see the vehicle in person.
